Make-ready and proof machine



May 16, 1939. w. F. HUCK 2,158,237

MAKE-READY AND PROOF MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOFL;

May 16, 1939. HUCK, 2,158,237

MAKE-READY AND PROOF MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 145NVENTOR.

May 16, 1939. w. F. HUCK MAKE-READY AND PROOF MACHINE Filed Dec. 28,1936 C5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES MAKE- READY AND PROOF MACHINEWilliam F. Huck, Richmond Hill, N. Y., assignor to R. Hoe & 00., Inc.,New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 28,1936, 'Serial No. 117,937

13 Claims. (Cl. 101-216) This invention relates to improved mechanism inthe printing art and more particularly to an improved make-ready andproof press with which the make-ready operation may be expeditiously gand accurately performed independently of the printing press.

In the operation of rotary magazine printing presses, multicolor pressesand other printing presses in which cooperating form and impressioncylinders are employed, much valuable time is lost in making ready onthe printing machine. The cost of such printing machines isconsiderable, and, therefore, the time lost in making ready in themachine not only entails the cost 15 of labor time but also necessitateslong idle periods of the expensive machine, thereby increasing themaintenance cost and overhead for the operation of these machines.

It is an object, therefore, of my'present invention to provide anauxiliary make-ready and proof press in which the entire make-readyoperation may be conveniently, expeditiously and accurately conductedoutside of the printing machine, thereby liberating the printing pressduring the usual make-ready period for productive work.

Another object of this invention is to provide a complete make-readyunit independent of the printing machine, which includes cooperatingform and impression cylinders of exactly the same diametrical dimensionsas those employed in the printing machine, suitable inking mechanism forthe form cylinder, and accessory and cooperating instrumentalities forfacilitating convenient preparation of proof sheets and forexpeditiously and accurately carrying out the make-ready operation underconditions similar to those existing in the printing machines. A furtherobject of this invention is the provi- 40 slon of a make-ready and proofmachine which is independent of the printing machine and whichincorporates means for supporting proof sheets and make-ready sheets inposition for convenient attachment to and removal from an impressioncylinder which cooperates with a plate supported by a cooperating platecylinder to thereby print the proof sheets, the impression cylinderhaving a blanket or packing suitably secured in accurate predeterminedposition on the periphery thereof and extending substantially half wayaround the cylinder periphery, means for detachably securing themake-ready or underlay sheet on the cylinder periphery with the blanketsubstantially coextensive therewith, gripping means carried by theimpression cyltaken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

inder for securing an edge of the proof sheet in predetermined positionon the impression cylinder, means for automatically operating-thecylinders through a complete predetermined cycle of operation and forstopping the cylinders 5 in a predetermined rest position, and meansarranged for cooperation with the proof sheet gripping means to releasethe proof sheet only in the predetermined rest position of theimpression cylinder.

It is' also an object of this invention to provide a make-ready andproof press of generally improved construction, whereby the device willbe simple, durable and inexpensive in construction as well asconvenient, practical, serviceable l6 and efficient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view. which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and, claimed, it being understood that various changes inform, proportion, and minor details of construction may be made withinthe scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing25 any advantages of the invention.

For a complete disclosure of the invention, a detailed description of myimproved make-ready and proof press will now be given in connection withthe accompanying drawings forming a part 30 of the specification,wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a make-ready and proof press, partsbeing broken away,

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure1, parts appearing in 35 elevation,

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1,parts appearing in ele vation,

Figure 4 is a vertical detailed sectional view 40 parts, there isdepicted a frame Ill having a base II and upright ends or supportingmembers l2.

.A plate or form cylinder I3 is provided and the diametrical dimensionsof this cylinder'are these same as the cylinder dimensions of the platecylinders in the printing machine for which the make-ready operation isbeing prepared. The cylinder I3 may have any suitable length, but, inthe present instance, its length is arranged to accommodate twostereotype or electrotype printing plates to be employed in the printingmachine for which the make-ready operations are conducted, and anysuitable plate clamp or locking means may be employed, such as slidingclamp rings of usual construction which are indicated diagrammaticallyat I5, Figure 3.

The shaft I6 of the form cylinder I3 has its opposed ends rotatablymounted in antifriction bearings I! supported in bearing apertures I8formed in the end supporting members I2 of the frame. Any preferredmeans may be employed to secure the antifriction bearings to thesupporting members I2, and, in the present instance, there are depictedopposed securing rings I9 and 28 which are secured to each supportingmember I2 of the frame and in engagement with an antifriction member I!by bolts or other suitable securing devices 2i. A gear 22 is suitablysecured to one end of the shaft I6 and is held against rotation relativeto the shaft by a suitable key or looking member 23. The opposed end ofthe shaft I6 has a cam 25 secured thereto and held against rotationrelative to the shaft by a suitable locklng member or key 26. A camgroove 21 is formed in the periphery of the cam 25 to cooperate with theinstrumentalities to be hereinafter disclosed.

Two electrotype or stereotype printing plates of the usual constructionemployed in magazine presses and the like are secured in axial alinementon one side of the periphery of the form or plate cylinder I3, and,inasmuch as these plates are of usual construction they are not heredepicted. In order to ink the printing plates when supported by theplate cylinder I3, there is provided a suitable inking mechanism whichincludes an ink cylinder 28 and a shaft 38, which is mounted for bothsliding and rotary movement in bearing sleeves or bushings 3| receivedwithin alined bearing apertures 32 formed in the supporting end membersI2 of the frame I8. At one end of the shaft 30 there is rigidly secureda collar 33 having an annular groove 35 formed in the perlpherialportion thereof for the reception of a roller 36 rotatably secured toone end of a rocker arm 31. The rocker arm 31 is pivoted or fulcrumed at38 intermediate its ends to a bracket 48 which is secured to the endmember I2 of the frame, as indicated at 4 I. Another roller 42 isrotatably secured to the opposed end of the rocker arm 31, and thisroller is received within the cam groove 21 of the cam 25 so that as thecam rotates its offset cam groove 2! rocks or reciprocates the arm 31thereby reciprocating or vibrating the inking cylinder 28 and the shaft38 for the reasons to be hereinafter disclosed.

A gear 43 is suitably secured to the opposed end of the shaft 30 and isheld against rotation relative thereto by a key or looking member 45.The gear 43 meshes with a pinion 46 mounted for rotation on antifrictionbearings 41 supported by a bearing stud 48 suitably secured to the endmember I2 of the machine frame, as indicated at 58. This pinion 46 alsomeshes with the gear 22, so that as the gear 22 rotates it also.rotatesthe pinion 46, gear 43 and the ink cylinder 28.

A plurality of ink distributing rollers 5| are provided for cooperationwith the inking cylinder 28, and each roller 5| has the opposedterminals of its shaft 52 rotatably mounted in roller sockets 53 ofusual construction which are semachine frame. Inasmuch as the rollersockets 53 are of construction well known'tothose skilled in the art, adetailed description thereof will not be here given. Any preferrednumber of distributing rollers may be employed, and, in the presentinstance, three of these rollers have been depicted, although, thisnumber may be increased or decreased as preferred. In order to conveythe ink from the ink cylinder 28 to the printing plate supported by theplate cylinder I3, two form rollers 55 are rotatably mounted in suitableroller sockets 56, and these rollers are positioned so that theirperlpherial surfaces engage both the inking cylinder 28 and the platesor form on the plate cylinder I3. It is understood by those skilled inthe art that roller sockets of the type here depicted are constructed toafford adjustment of the rollers which they support, therefore, it is tobe understood that the distributing rollers 62 and form rollers 55 maybe adjusted relative to the ink cylinder 28 and the form supported bythe plate cylinder, to exert any desired pressure on these members.

From the foregoing it is seen that as the plate cylinder I3 rotates theink cylinder 28 is both rotated and oscillated, thereby operating todistribute the ink supplied to the inking mechanism in a uniform film tothe form on the plate cylinder. Inasmuch as a relatively small quantityof ink is required in this machine, the ink is preferably manuallyapplied to the rollers 5|, although it is to be understood that an inkfountain may also be provided if preferred, but, inasmuch as inkfountain constructions are well known to those skilled in theart, afountain has not been here depicted An impression cylinder 51 isprovided for operable cooperation with the plate cylinder I3,

' and this cylinder is provided with a shaft 58 having its opposed endsmounted in antifriction bearings 68 received within bearing apertures 6|formed in eccentric rings 62. The antifriction bearing for each end ofthe shaft 58 being secured in its ring 62 by engaging an inner shoulder63 and a clamp ring 65 which is secured to the eccentric ring 62 byscrews or other suitable securing device 66. The clamp ring 65 which ispositioned at one end of the impression cylinder shaft 58 is preferablyprovided with a crowned cap 65' to seal the bearing against theadmission of extraneous matter. Each eccentric ring 62 is provided withan outer annular bearing surface 61 arranged eccentrically to its innerbearing surface BI and mounted for rotation in a bear ing aperture 68formed in the supporting end member I2 of the machine frame I0. Anannular shoulder I8 is formed on each eccentric ring around its outerannular bearing surface 61 and engages a machined surface of the endmember I2 of the machine frame at one side thereof, and the clamp ring65 engages the opposed side of the supporting member I2 therebypermitting rotation of the eccentric ring 62 but holding it againstlongitudinal or axial movement. The eccentric rings 62 are provided topermit movement of the impression cylinder 51 radially relative to theplate cylinder I3 in order to throw off the impression pressure betweenthe two cylinders.

' cured to the end supporting members I2 of the To move the impressioncylinder 51 relative to v chine parallel to the impression cylinderandhas its opposed terminals mounted for rotation in bearing aperturesI2 formed in the supporting members I2 of' the machine frame III, and amanipulating handle 12 is secured to one terminal of the shaft 'II andthis handle is locked to the shaft against relative-rotarymovement byakey or other suitable locking device I5. An

arm I6 is keyed adjacent each end of the shaft II, as indicated at Ill,and the outer terminal of each arm I8 is pivotally secured to a link I8,as

indicated at 88, and the opposed terminal of each link" is pivotallysecured to an extension ll of the eccentric ring, as indicated at 82. Aturnbuckle 82 is provided in each link I8 in order to adjust the lengthof the link to thereby accurately and adjustably position the eccentricring 82 in predetermined cooperative relation to the radially from theform cylinder to throw of! the. impression pressure preparatory tomanual op-' erations which will be hereinafter set forth.

Grippers 85 are secured to a shaft 88 for pivotal or rocking movementabout the shaft, and an arm 81 extends radially from the shaft 88 andthis arm is pivotally secured to one terminal of a tension rod 88, asindicated at 80. Theopposed end of the rod 88 is slidably secured inastud or supporting member 8|, and a helical spring 82 is interposedbetween the support 9| and a shoulder 88 formed on the pivotalend of therod 88 to thereby normally bias the grippers towards closed or grippingposition. A blanket 94 of any preferred material is secured to theperipheral portion of the impression cylinder 51 so that it extendssubstantially half way around the cylinder periphery. The leadingterminal of the blanket is secured to a clamping surface 85 formed inthe impression cylinder by a suitable clamp 88 which may be secured tothe cylinder by screws or other suitable securing devices 81. Theopposed end of the blanket is secured to a reel rod 88 of usualconstruction, and it may be rotated to draw the blanket taut around thecylinder periphery to thereby serve as an impression surface forprinting cooperation with the printing plate or plates'carried by theform cylinder I8. A make-ready or proof sheet IIIII is secured to thecylinder periphery with and under the blanket, and in order to insurethat the blanket 84 and make-ready sheet I80 are secured in the samerelative position on the impression cylinder 51 in the make-readymachine and on the impression cylinder in the printing machine,

. suitable registering means are provided which rated and creased by anysuitable mechanism,

which forms no part of this invention, so that the apertures in theleading end of the makeready sheet accurately aline with an fit over theregistering pins 88, and the creased portion of the blanket andmake-ready sheet accurately engage the intersection of the cylinderperiphery and the radial surface 98. Thus it is seen that a blanket andmake-readysheet which has been positioned on the make-ready impressioncylinder may be placed in the same relative or similar position on anyselected impression cylinder of the printing machine.

In order. to provide a convenient feed and work platform, an angularsupporting arm I82 is pivotally secured to a lug I08 at each side of themachine, as indicated at I08, as best seen in Figure 1. Inasmuch as thearms III2 are in alinement, as viewedin this figure, only one arm isseen, but, as stated, it is to be understood that there is an arm ateach side of the machine, and to these arms there is slidably secured afeed and work platform III 6.' Any preferred means may be employed forslidably securing the feed and work board or platform I08 to the spacedarms I02, and, to this end, there are provided elongated strips ordovetail rails I" which are secured to the platform I08 by screws I08 orother suitable securing devices. These tails are slidably received indovetail grooves I i8 formed, in the upper edge of the normallyhorizontal portion of the angular arms I82. The forward edge of theboard or platform I08 is beveled, as indicated at III, in order. thatthis edge may be moved immediately adjacent the peripheral portion ofthe impression cylinder 81 so that the up-'- per surface of the board orplatform Ill is disposed in tangential relation to the cylinderperiphery. In order to insure that the forward edge of the boardispositioned in correct relation to the periphery of the cylinder IIII,an adjust able stop is secured to each arm I02, and includes a lug II2which extends outwardly from each arm and which is threaded for thereception of an adjustable stop screw II! which may be locked inselected position by a lock or jamb nut Ill. By this arrangement thestop screw H3 may be adjusted to engage the machine frame to limit thedownward movement of the arms I02 about their pivots I05 so that theleading or beveled edge of the board I08 may be positioned in correct ordesired relationto the periphery of the impression cylinder 81.

The upstanding supporting end members ii of the machine frame It arereenforced by tie or brace rods IIG which extend transversely across themachine and are secured to the end adjacent the periphery of theimpression cylinder and in concentric relation thereto for reasons to behereinafter disclosed.

The grippers 85, as hereinbefore disclosed, are normally constrained totheir closed or gripping position by the helical spring 92, and in orderto release or open the grippers an arm or lever I22 is pivotallysupported by a stud I22 which is se-,

cured to an upstanding end member I2 of the machine frame, as best seenin Figures 1 and 2, and a link I25 is pivotally secured to the outerportion of the arm I22, as indicated at I26. The lower terminal of thelink I28 is pivotally secured to a treadle or lever I21, as indicated atI28, and

the length of this link may be adjusted by a turnbuckle I80 which issecured to the link intermediate the terminals thereof. A collar orwasher Ill is pinned or otherwise secured to the link I25, and the lowerportion of the link extends loosely through an aperture formed in theouter terminal of a bracket arm I32 secured to the base of the machineframe, as indicated at I33. A helical spring I34 is positioned aroundthe lower portion of the link I25, and it is interposed between thewasher I3I and outer terminal of the arm I32 to thereby support the linkI25, arm I22 and treadle I21 in their upper position, asdepicted inFigure 1 of the drawings, any suitable stop means being provided tolimit the upward movement of these components. In order to limit thedownward movement of these components, a stop member I35 is adjustablysecured to the machine base, as indicated at I30.

In order to drive the cooperating printing cylinders and inkingmechanism, a motor I31 is provided, and this motor is secured to anupstanding supporting member I2 of the machine frame by interposedchannel brackets I38. Power is imparted from the motor I31 through areducing gear I40 of any improved construction to a shaft HI, and thisshaft is coupled to an alined shaft I42 through a suitable coupling unitI43, and a drive gear I45 is keyed to the outer end of the shaft I42, asindicated at I46. The drive gear meshes with the gear 22 of the plate orform cylinder, and the gear 22 drives the cooperating impressioncylinders and also the ink mechanism, as hereinbefore set forth. Inorder to protect the operator against injury, and to protect the gearsfrom extraneous matter, a housing I48 is secured around the gears to asupporting member I2 of the machine frame, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The drive motor I31 is energized from any suitable source of electricpower, and, in order to operate the printing cylinders and inkingmechanism through a complete predetermined cycle of operation, there isprovided any suitable means for interrupting the source of electricpower when the impression cylinder 51 has rotated to a predeterminedposition. The normal stop or rest position of the impression cylinderpositions the grippers 85 in their uppermost position, as shown inFigure 1. Therefore, any suitable limit switch I39, as indicateddiagrammatically in Figure 6, may be provided to break the electriccircuit after the cylinder has rotated one complete revolution in whichit starts from the position shown in Figure 1 and completes its cycle ofoperation when it again reaches the same position.

In operation, printing plates which are to be employed in the printingmachine are suitably secured or clamped to the plate cylinder I3 so thatthe plates extend substantially half way around the cylinder periphery,and the blanket 94 is secured in predetermined position on theimpression cylinder 51 so that the blanket, as described, extendssubstantially half way around the cylinder in position to cooperate withthe plates on the plate cylinder. A suitable underlay or makeready sheetI00 having thereon a proof impression of the matter to be printed ispositioned under the blanket, and, inasmuch as the apertures formed inthe leading terminal of the makeready sheet and the blanket have beenformed therein in predtermined position for accurate alinement with theregistering pin IOI, it is manlfest that the blanket and make-readysheet will be secured in a definite predetermined position on theperiphery of the impression cylinder. A proof sheet is then placed onthe platform I06 and the treadle I21 is depressed so that the arm I22engages the arm 81 of the gripper mechanism, thereby opening thegrippers 85 against the t sion of the spring 32. The proof sheet isthen' moved under the grippers and the treadle is re-' gized andoperates to rotate the plate andimpres-' sion cylinders through onecomplete revolution.

during which the proof sheet is printed and its" trailing end isprotected and guided by the guard- I2I, and when this cycle of operationhas been completed the motion of the cylinders is arrested by the limitswitch I39 interrupting the electric current. The board or platform I06is then slid rearwardly away from the impression cylinder, thus givingaccess to the trailing end of the proof sheet. The trailing end of theproof sheet is then drawn upwardly over the upper surface of the boardor platform I06 for observation to determine if further make-ready workis required. If additional make-ready work is required the blanket andmake-ready sheet may be released and the make-ready sheet may bepositioned on the upper surface of the board or platform I06 inconvenient position to permit further make-ready operations, and thedesired operations may be repeated until the make-ready operation hasreached a satisfactory completion. Inasmuch as the arms I02 whichsupport the board or platform I06 are pivotally secured to the frame atI05, the arms and board may be swung upwardly away from the impressioncylinder, thereby giving ready access to the entire cylinder, and,inasmuch as the board I00 is slidably secured to the supporting armsI02, this board may conveniently be slidably moved towards and away fromthe cylinder to best suit the operators requirements and convenience,and the surface of the board affords a convenient working surface forthe make-ready operations. After the makeready operation has beencompleted, the blanket 94 and make-ready sheet I00 are removed from theimpression cylinder of the make-ready machine and are secured in exactlythe same relative position on an impression cylinder of the printingmachine for cooperation with the same printing plate which is alsoremoved from the make-ready machine to the plate cylinder of theprinting machine. Thus it is seen that exactly the same conditions existin the make-ready machine and in the printing machine, so that amake-ready operation which has been correctly performed in themake-ready machine produces perfect printing in a printing machine, thusliberating the printing machine during the entire make-ready operationfor productive work.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, meanscarried by the impression cylinder for operably securing a sheet on thecylinder for printing engagement with the form cylinder, and a slidableplatform pivotally supported in predetermined relation to the impressioncylinder.

2. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, meanscarried by the impression cylinder for operably securing a proof sheetin predetermined position on the cylinder for printing engagement withthe form 2,158,237 cylinder, and a slidable platform supported fortangential sliding movement relative to the impression cylinder.

3. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, meanscarried by the impression cylinder for operably securing a proof sheetin predetermined position on the cylinder for printing engagement withthe plate on the form cylinder, and a slidable pivotally supportedplatform supported for predetermined sliding movement relative to theimpression cylinder, the platform being movable. about its pivotalsupports away from the impression cylinder to give ready access thereto.

4. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, thesaid cylinders being power driven through predetermined similar cyclesof operation, and means for interrupting the power at the completion ofeach cycle to stop the cylinders in predetermined angular position,means carried by the impression cylinder for operably securing a proofsheet in predetermined position on the cylinder for printing engagementwith the form cylinder, and means positioned to engage the said sheetsecuring means to release the proof sheet only when the impressioncylinder is at rest in the said predetermined angular position.

5. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, saidcylinders being power driven through predetermined similar cycles ofoperation, and means for interrupting the power at the completion ofeach cycle to stop the cylinders in predetermined angular position,grippers carried by the impression cylinder for operably securing aproof sheet in predetermined position on the cylinder and normallyconstrained to closed or gripping position, and means external of theimpression cylinder and positioned to operably engage the grippers tomove them to open position to release the proof sheet when theimpression cylinder is at rest in the said predetermined angularposition.

6. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with-the form cylinder, thesaid cylinders being power driven through predetermined similar cyclesof operation, and means for interrupting the power at the completion ofeach cycle to stop the cylinders in predetermined angular position,grippers carried by the impression cylinders for operably securing aproof sheet in predetermined position on the cylinder, yield able meanscarried by the impression cylinder for normally biasing the grippers toclosed or gripping position to thereby secure the proof sheet to theimpression cylinder, and manually operable means external of theimpression cylinder positioned to operably engage the grippers to movethem to open position against the influence of the said yieldable meansto release the proof sheet when the impression cylinder is at rest inthe said predetermined angular position.

7. In a machine for making ready outside of the printing machine, arotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, aplatform slidably supported in predetermined tangential relation to theimpression cylinder, grippers carried by the impression cylinders foroperably securing a proof sheet in predetermined position on thecylinder, yieldable means carried by the impression cylinder fornormally biasing the grippers to closed or gripping position to therebysecure the proof sheet to the impression cylinder, and manually operablemeans external of the impression cylinder and positioned to operablyengage the grippers to move them to open position against the influenceof the said yieldable means to re.- lease the proof sheet when theimpression cylinder is in a predetermined angular position.

8. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder, meanscarried by the -impression cylinder for operably securing a proof sheetin predetermined position on the cylinder for printing engagement withthe form cylinder, and a pivotally supported slidable platformconstructed and arranged to be supported in tangential relation to theimpression cylinder, the I platform being capable of swinging movementabout its pivotal support away from the impression cylinder to therebygive access to the impression cylinder.

9. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a frame, a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatably supportedimpression cylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the formcylinder, means carried by the impression cylinder for operably securinga proof sheet in predetermined position on the cylinder for printingengagement with the plate on the form cylinder, a platform pivotallysecured to the frame and mounted for sliding movement in tangentialrelation to the impression cylinder, the platform being capable ofswinging movement about its pivotal support away from the impressioncylinder to thereby give access to the impression cylinder, and meansmovable with the platform for adjusting the operable position of theplatform relative to the impression cylinder when the platform issupported in tangential relation to the impression cylinder.

10. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a frame, a form cylinder rotatably supported by the frame, an impressioncylinder rotatably supported by the frame and-arranged for printingcooperation with the form cylinder, the said cylinders being powerdriven through predetermined similar cycles of operation, and means forinterrupting the power at the completion of each cycle to stop thecylinders in predetermined angular position, grippers carried by theimpression cylinder for operably securing a proof sheet in predeterminedposition on the cylinder and normally constrained to closed or grippingposition, and means operably supported by the frame external of theimpression cylinder and positioned to operably engage the grippers tomove them to open position to release the proof sheet only when theimpression cylinder is at rest in the said predetermined angularposition.

- 11. In a machine for making ready independently of the printingmachine, a frame, a form cylinder rotatably supported by the frame, animpression cylinder rotatably supported by the frame and arranged forprinting cooperation with the form cylinder, a platform pivotallysecured to the frame and arrangedto be slidably supported inpredetermined tangential relation to the impression cylinder, gripperscarried by the impression cylinder for operably securing a proof sheetin predetermined position on the cylinder, yieldable means carried bythe impression cylinder for normally biasing the gripp rs to closed orgripping position to thereby secure the proof sheet to the impressioncylinder, and manually operable means pivotally supported by-the frameexternal of the impression cylinder and positioned to operably engagethe grippers to move them to open position against the influence of thesaid yieldable biasing means to release the proof sheet only when theimpression cylinder is in a predetermined angular position.

12. In a machine for making ready independently of the printing machine,a frame, a form cylinder rotatably supported by the frame, an impressioncylinder rotatably supported by the frame and arranged for printingcooperation with the form cylinder, means carried by the impr'essioncylinder for operably securing a proof sheet in predetermined positionon the cylinder for printing engagement with the plate on the formcylinder, arms pivotally supported by the frame, a platform slidablysupported by the arms in predetermined relation ta the impressioncylinder.

13. In a machine for making ready outside of the printing machine, aframe, a form cylinder rotatably supported by the frame, an impressioncylinder rotatably supported by the frame and arranged for printingcooperation with the form cylinder, manually operable means operablysupported by the frame for moving the impression cylinder towards andaway from the form cylinder, means carried by the impression cylinderfor operably securing a proof sheet in predetermined position on thecylinder for printing engagement with the form cylinder, means forinking the form cylinder, a slidable platform pivotally supported by theframe in predetermined relation to the impression cylinder, and a motorfor operably rotating the form and impression cylinder.

14. In a machine for making ready outside of the printing machine, aframe, a form cylinder rotatably supported by the frame, an impressioncylinder rotatably supported by the frame and arranged for printingcooperation with the form cylinder, a gear carried by the form cylinder,a gear carried by the impression cylinder and meshing with the formcylinder gear to rotate said cylinders in synchronism, manually operablemeans operably supported by the frame for moving the impression cylindertowards and away from the form cylinder, means carried by the impressioncylinder for operably securing a proof sheet in predetermined positionon the cylinder for printing engagement with the plate on the formcylinder, means for inking the plate on the form cylhider, a slidableplatform pivotally supported by the frame in predetermined relation tothe impression cylinder, and a motor geared to a cylinder gear tothereby operably rotate th'e form and impression cylinders, 15. In amachine for making ready lndepend ently of the printing machine, arotatably sup-- ported form cylinder, a rotatably supported impressioncylinder arranged for printing cooperation with the form cylinder,grippers carried by the impression cylinder for operably securing aproof sheet in predetermined position on the cylinder for printingengagement with the plate on the form cylinder, a platform slidablysupported in predetermined tangential relation to the impressioncylinder, and means carried by the impression cylinder for securing ablanket and make-ready sheet to the impression cylinder.

16. In a machine for making ready outside of.

the printing machine, a rotatably supported form cylinder, a rotatablysupported impression cylinder arranged for printing cooperation with theform cylinder, grippers carried by the impression cylinder for operablysecuring a proof sheet in predetermined position on the cylinder forprinting engagement with the form cylinder, a slidable platformsupported in predetermined tangential relation to the impressioncylinder, and means carried by the impression cylinder for securing ablanket and make-ready sheet to a fractional portion of its periphery,intermeshing gears carried by the form and impression cylinders, a drivemotor operably connected with the said gears to thereby operably rotatethe cylinder, and means for energizing the motor during a predeterminedperiod for automatically rotating the cylinders through a predeterminedcycle of operation equivalent to a complete rotation of the formcylinder during each proof printing operation, the cycle of operationterminating when the proof sheet is in a position on the impressioncylinder for convenient removal therefrom along the surface of theplatform.

1'1. The method of making ready outside of the printing machine, whichconsists in providing similar perforations in corresponding portions ofthe blanket and make ready sheet, providing a plate cylinder anda-cooperating impression cylinder outside of the printing machinesimilar to the cylinders in the printing machine, providing similarlypositioned locating pins on both impression cylinders to engage theperforations of the blanket and make ready sheet to thereby locate theblanket and make ready sheet in similar superposed relation on bothimpression cylinders.

18. Apparatus for making ready outside of the WILLIAM F. HUCK.

